Drivers Threaten Nationwide Strike Action

By Kini Nsom

The National Syndicate of Taxi Drivers has warned government to respect the engagements it took last February to address their grievances or grapple with a more devastating nationwide strike action.

The last drivers' strike in February grounded the nation

"Taxi drivers have no choice but to go on strike if government does not quickly respect the engagements it took to convince them to call off the strike action last February," one of the trade union leaders, Collince Tchoumi, told The Post in Yaounde over the week-end.

The trade unionist said the very ills that provoked taxi drivers to go on the rampage last February, sprang back in full force as soon as they called off the strike.He said since June 17 this year, they have written twice to the government but have received only silence and negligence as answers. Such silence, he said, betrays government's lack of political will to arrest the situation.

In a letter to the Prime Minister, dated June 28, the drivers' trade union frowned at the fact that the Yaounde City Council authorities have, for instance, continued to harass taxi drivers over where they should pick up passengers. The situation, the letter says, shows that the Government Delegate is violating order No 00045/CAB/MINT of February 26, 2008, signed by the Minister of Transport.

The ministerial decision rendered the Yaounde Government Delegate's decision No 350/CUY/06 of August 21, 2006, null and void. The spirit and letter of the ministerial decision made it clear that taxi drivers could pick up passengers anywhere.

Furthermore, the writers of the letter say government has failed to reduce the prices of fuel as promised. They say the manner police harass drivers in the townships and the highways is overwhelming. The trade unionists said they were calling on government to act fast by addressing their grievances because they want to preserve social peace and promote social dialogue.

Since the trade unionists did not receive any reply to their letter, they wrote another one to the Prime Minister on September 1. "You have failed to reply our letters. We are therefore informing you that if you don't quickly address our grievances, we will have no other choice but to go on strike," partly reads the letter to the Head of Government.

After a crisis meeting at the Prime Minister's office following the exacerbation of the February strike, government issued a communiqué reducing fuel prices. A litre of super was going to sell at FCFA 594, marking a reduction of FCFA 6 while a litre of gazoil was fixed at FCFA 545.

But taxi drivers claim that these prices are no longer being respected. A government source says it was no longer possible to further reduce the prices of fuel given that the IMF-controlled Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility, PRGF, was extended for six months.

Thus, another nationwide strike looms. And government must act fast by initiating dialogue once more before it is too late. The drivers' trade union leaders have warned that, if government pushes them to the wall, there will be a more devastating strike that will beat the record of what took place in February.

Comments

[Fonngang]

You taxi drivers are as useles as your strikes. Just because you caught the government unawares last time you think you can get away with it a second time. Have you ever heard the saying that opportunity strikes but once? How would you anyway. Most of you can barely read or write. You missed a big and wonderful opportunuty to even cause the government to fall last time by hastily and selfishly bowing to useless promises from a government run by crooks. You guys think the youths of Cameroon will go onto the streets once more to be shot, hurt, imprisoned, killed and for no one to raise a finger to help them from a brutal dictator? Mark my words. Yes you will stop driving for a few but nobody will come in support of you. Second, Mr Biya will call your leaders and bribe them and make more palatable promises again and all of you with the hunger that a few days of not working has caused you, you all will go back into your usesless taxis again.
Remember what happened to the SDF? They got the government by surprise in 1990 when the party was launched. If they had pressed on using every available means - even a civil strife, we would have been telling a different story today in Cameroon. But since the leaders themselves cannot sacrifice their lives for a cause they let Mr Biya crush them again. People want something but are not ready to die for it. They won't get it.
Just because you taxi drivers organised a strike last time and the rest of Cameroon supported you yet when the government just pretended to accept your few demands you called off the strike leaving the rest of the Cameroonian youth who supported you with their lives in Limbo .
Do not kid yourselves this time around You will never get the reaction that you got last time. As usual the government will whip your arses to submission and I hope that happens.
Because of the massive support you had from young Cameroonians many of them were shot and killed but in your negotiations with government you people did not even mention their situation to your government memebers. Many of them are still languishing in jails all over the country and you people never cared so long as your few demands were 'addresed' They are all in jails today and most were shot and killed. Who do you think will give you people such a support that you are threatening the government with?
Maybe you guys think Mr Biys is some small fool. He knows exacly how these so called trade Unions function and never misses an opportunity to get the better of them. Mr Biya needs only one lesson every single time and you will never catch him offguard again
Mr Biya will pick up those your so called leaders and thrash them very well and before you know what is going on you will be on the streets in your rickety taxis working your arses out only to hand your hard earned money back to Mr. Biya's police.

[obang boy]

IN MODERN WESTERNISED DEMOCRACIES,STRIKES ARE A MEANS OF CHECKING CERTAIN EXCESSES AND SERVE MOST OFTEN AS SPEED BREAKS OR CHECKS AND BALANCES FOR OVER DOSE GOV,T ACTION.MOSTLY DONE IN CALM AND QUIET.
BUT MOST RECENTLY, THIS PHILOSOPHY OF STRIKE HAS BECOME INSTEAD A NEW CAMEROONIAN WAY OF SETTLEING SCORES AND REAPING WHERE WE DIDN'T SOW.
I DON,T BLAME OR HATE ANY STRIKER OR ACTIVISTS,PROVIDED UR CAUSE IS GREEN,BUT I BLAME UR MANNERISM IN MANIFESTING.PLEASE,MY DEAR SMALL AND BIG BROS OF THE NOBLE TAXI PROFESSION,STOP EXAGGERATING UR PLIGHT.WE ALL ARE FACING THIS BIYA,S BAD WAY OF GOVERNACE ADVERSELY IN ONE WAY OR THE OTHER.BUT WE CARELESS ABOUT STRIKES,COS AT THE END OF IT ALL,ONLY U AND ME DIE,HE AND HIS KIDS KEEP ON HOLIDAYING IN THE GORGEOUS BEACHES OF NEUILLY IN FRANCE.
PLEASE,LETS NOT THINK ABOUT FEBRUARY 25th,COS AS A PRISON WARDER I ALMOST LOST MY LIFE FROM STONES AND BROKEN BOTTLE SHOOTINGS AT THE BURNT BRASSERIES IN KUMBA,IN THE NAME OF INTERVENTION.
BOYS MAN WAY TAXI WORK DON PASS HIM, LET HIM PACK IT AND DO SOME THING ELSE,LIKE BEN SIKIN OR EVEN STEALING.
LAPIRO DI DIE NOW BECAUSE OF U GUYS.BE CAREFULL,BIYA NO LIKE WONNA,ANY STRIKE, LIFE BULLET WILL KILL U.DON,T SAY I DIDN'T WARN U.GOOD LUCK IN UR QUEST FOR UR BETTER TOMORROW

[Fon]

Fonngang,
That was from a critical and a concerned mind, unlike the garbage that followed your posting

[Essono]

The biggest problem with the typical Cameroonian is PASSIVITY and the tendency to shrink from responsibility.When this popular revolt erupted in February,some very patriotitic Cameroonians under an organisation better known by its French accronym "CODE" ( Collectif des Organisations Démocratiques et Patriotiques des Camerounais de la Diaspora) an umbrella organisation bringing together all Cameroonians irrespective of their political leanings.

Headed by young fire-branded opponents of the regime abroad,people like the Tene Sop's,Brice Nitcheu's,Piérre Eteki Giscard,protests marches were organised all over Europe from Paris to Berlin.These guys did everything they could do to inform and rally Cameroonians to join the protests and sit demonstrations in infront of Cameroon's diplomatic missions,the French Embassies,European Union buildings etc.

It's purpose was to inform the European civil and political opinion on the macabre killings against young Cameroonians in February.As a member of CODE,I personally travelled for long hours from Paris,Bruxelles,Berlin at times on an empty stomach.The frustrating thing about it was that just a handful of Cameroonians turned up for these demonstrations even after all the propaganda that was made.Everybody was busy looking for money.I even had a chat with a French policeman,who told me that we would've made a greater impact if we had come out massively.

[Essono]

That observation coming from a European police man has haunted and ached my heart since February.If this strike action had taken place in a c'ntry like Nigeria,I bet u,it would've been a completely different story.The mobilisation of Nigerians would've been unprecedented.What Cameroonians know best is to point fingers at political leaders and parties.WE HAVE THE LEADERS WE DESERVE DUDES!!! Cameroonians are so naive to think that it's a party that can change Cameroon,its the people and only the people who can do that.

I personally tried to rally some Anglophone students, to come along and take part in protests demonstrations even just for the sake of "symbolism",but the lame excuses I got...I remember even meeting some of the so called die-hard SCNC members and all I got was "It's La République's politics,we have nothing to do with it".I shall never forget that statement.Their brothers,sisters,cousins etc etc were being massacred by Biya's military,and cowards sit abroad and talk rubbish.We were only a handful of us(anglophones) who went out for these protests marches.This was a perfect occasion where all Cameroonians irrespective of our political and philosophical leanings were instinctively supposed to come out in full force in the diaspora to showcase Biya's bloody regime to the world.

Yet,what Cameroonians know best is to chicken-heartedly write long,rabbling and senseless comments on these forums.And from what people write u can deduce immediately that they are not politically active or that they have never been.Cameroonians will have to learn that u cannot and would never change a system which is deeply entrenched by passivity and escapism.

[Fon]

Essono,
While I agree with your point of view, I also fear some of us like to take credit for what they have not done.

In which medium/media did you and "CODE" advertise your activities last February? What did you do in Berlin? We had a plan to meet in Bonn, that is where the Cameroon embassy is located in Germany.
Go to the following page and see my efforts at the time with regards to mobilising the Diasporans in respect to the February strike action back home. http://www.postnewsline.com/2008/02/cameroon-declar/comments/page/2/#comments
This is the first time I am hearing of "CODE"

[Essono]

Look Mr Man,maybe u haven't yet understood my presence on this forum.Am not here for people to agree or disagree with me.I don't care a dime and whether u as individual agrees with me is totally inconsequential.And whether u mobilised the whole globe,that's ur God-forsaken cup of tea.And u're of no interest to me as an indidvidual.Am interested in the collectivity and how it can be harnessed to bring change to society.

And if u have never heard of "Collectif des Organisations Démocratiques et Patriotiques des Camerounais de la Diaspora-CODE) which even has a website or the German based DNK(Demokratisches Netzwerk Fur Kamerun) patronised by people like Tene Sop,if u never heard of people like the Brice Nitcheu's,Eteki Pierre Giscard,then u're implicitely confirming that u're just a "provincial reject" in diasporan politics.
And am not coming back to this again.

[Fon]

Mr. Man,
"And u're of no interest to me as an indidvidual.Am interested in the collectivity and how it can be harnessed to bring change to society."

When individauals are of no interest to you; how do you arrive at collectivity which is your interest? Is it lack of foresight or that you don´t understand the implication of your own statement?
Don´t come back to it again, because I am not interested in a debate with your type. Just wanted to point out your shortsightedness.
Forjindam must be a member of your "CODE"

[wncsadam]

I agree with you FON, only individualism can lead to collectivism. Let him get that clearly. How would you work with a group if you dont want to start from individuals
Let him also learn to be polite on this forum.
Thanks

[UnitedstatesofAfrica]

"WE HAVE THE LEADERS WE DESERVE DUDES!!! "
- Essono

Did you just call Cameroonians "dudes" hahahahahaha...In case you are mistaken, this is "postnewsline.com" not "college campus blogs anonymous"...hahahahaha

America go do something!!

[UnitedstatesofAfrica]

"Look Mr Man,maybe u haven't yet understood my presence on this forum.Am not here for people to agree or disagree with me.I don't care a dime and whether u as individual agrees with me is totally inconsequential.And whether u mobilised the whole globe,that's ur God-forsaken cup of tea.And u're of no interest to me as an indidvidual.Am interested in the collectivity and how it can be harnessed to bring change to society." - Essono

Hahahahahahahahhahahahahaha
Hahahahahahahhahahahah
Hahahahahhahaha
Hahahahhaha
Hahahaha
Hahaha
Haha
Ha

Oh my good Jesus!! I am laughing my eyeballs out...hahahahhaa

God! I've missed this forum...Hahahahahahaha

[UnitedstatesofAfrica]

So Fon, you were expecting to bring Cameroonians in diaspora together by putting up a notice on postnewsline.com huh? you wanted to achieve "collective" action with a write-up? You are not serious my friend

[Fon]

UnitedstatesofAfrica,
The postnewsline was just one of many media which was used to spread the information. The outcome was not bad.

[Fon]

UnitedstatesofAfrica,
What happened? Were you on holiday were there is no internet connection or the Computers at the Baptise centre in Bamenda where you "work" were broken down?
You are laughing your eyeballs out when you have seen just the tips of iceberg

[UnitedstatesofAfrica]

Fon, I see you haven't lost your sense of humor...and your foolishness too.

I wasn't on holidays and the computers at Baptist (it's not spelled "Baptise" by the way) centre in Bamenda are working just fine. Unlike like you, I do have a life and it's not on the internet.

Also, if you don't mind, could you provide links to the "many media" outlets "which" you "used to spread the information"? To be taken seriously in the "real" world, it's always good to back your assertion with concrete facts. Just a tip I thought I should let you know.

...thanks for advance for providing the links

[rexon]

Essono,

dont know the planet that you live at. But the Nitcheu whose names you quoted there as a diasparoan politician is just a little kwown crook whose sole achievement is that he was used by Muna (though unsuccesful) to destroy the SDF here in the UK. He is known a nothing but a little crook making a living out of the sweat of ordinary asylum seekers. Ask him, if you are in touch with him what he does for a living here in London?

[Fon]

UnitedstatesofAfrica,
Hope you will not be also foolish to ask me to provide links to emails contact and telephone calls that we made before you take me serious.
Unfortunately you are based at the Baptist Centre in Bamenda (hahahaha) and does qualify as a diasporan to join our email yahoo group.
Go here and watch the strike action.
http://de.truveo.com/Cameroon-DNK-Strike-Bonn-Deutschland-55/id/2520687472

Rexon, I was so disappoited with Mr. Essono that I did not want to comment about Brice Nitcheu ( an associate of the Biya/Muna).

[Klemenceau]

Hi Fon, Rexon, UnitedstatesofAfrica, Danny Boy etc, greetings to you and the entire Cameroon Post crew. Just tried and succeeded to browse this site again after several months. Hope it won't be blocked again.

Shalom

[UnitedstatesofAfrica]

Fon,

that strike was indeed shabbily coordinated: lackluster people, tiny placards and you had about what? 10 people. It's like you just woke up one day and decided to drag your family into the streets for a strike...and the little child holding a poster only makes the family suggestion credible.

At least, you deserve an A for effort. Very few people can take time off their "busy" lives to commit to a protest...however, don't come here and boast of leadership qualities when your protest attempt was as shabby as they come.

Thanks!

[Fon]

UnitedstatesofAfrica,
As most Cameroonians, your comment is not strange; criticism. Instead of coordinating ideas to bring change, Cameroonians only sit and criticize those who make an attempt.
However, unlike others you at least appreciated the effort.
Extend my greetings to the Baptist centre Bamenda community (hahahaha)

[UnitedstatesofAfrica]

Fon,

Mind you, there can be no improvement without criticism. In fact, the lack of criticism is the core reason for the decay of African politics and affairs. There's no one to point out the loopholes...thus, leaders and their people act, not with reason, but at their discretion.

Second of all, you don't know anything about my life and the contributions I have made for the betterment of Cameroon, if at all I have made any. You know nothing about me to arrive at the conclusion that I am just "sitting" and "criticizing".

Your so-called "protest" was a shabby attempt and deserves rightful criticism. I did commend you for your efforts but the praise will end here...everything else about it was disastrous. My man, study your history books, read protest strategies by history's greats. Pay attention to how collective action was achieved and how successful strikes were organized.

Beef up your tissue-thin resume my friend and stop acting a FOOL!

[Fon]

My man, study your history books, read protest strategies by history's greats. Pay attention to how collective action was achieved and how successful strikes were organized.(UnitedstatesofAfrica)

I am only novice sir. As an expert in protest strategies, can you take the lead so that I can follow? Or you have the skills, but you are not interested in change?

Untill you try before you can understand the difference between theory (what you read in history books) and putting theory into practice.

[Radicalbrother]

Comrades.
When ever there are burning issues in this forum that intellectuals can put heads together and come out with a way forward, you people are instead throwing blows at one another. This approach is very unhealthy in resolving problems as personalities at times are touched
Please could we be more mature in our approach as we leave pride behind? I am shocked
HE WHO BOWS BEFORE SOMEONE WHO IS GREAT PAVES THE WAY TO HIS OWN GREATNESS

[Danny Boy]

Klemeceau,
nice to know you are well, Bro. Welcome back into the forum. Nothing much has changed as you can read above. Still the same old mud-slinging or playing cyberspace wars, as somebody once termed it.
Some of us are losing appetite for the debate on this forum as these have become more confrontational. I read but seldom bother to add my two cents anymore. Debates on matters that we hold dear should be constructive, for the simple reason that one of our MPs might chance upon an idea here expoused and borrow it. Why not?
So Bro, do not be surprised to realise that enthusiastic contributors have long ceased to.
Once again, You are welcome.
Blessed be Cameroon.